Yardbarker: Antonio Bastardohttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/players/antonio_bastardo/89940
Recent articles about Antonio Bastardoen-usReport: Diamondbacks to sign Antonio BastardoAdding to a run on bounceback pitching candidates, the Diamondbacks have struck a minors deal with lefty Antonio Bastardo, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (Twitter
links). He’ll earn at a $1.5MM rate if he can make the team out of camp and can also accrue up to $4MM in incentives, though that is seemingly tied to games finished — a stat mostly accrued by closers. The deal also includes a March 25 opt-out chance, per the report.Bastardo, 32, has at times been a high-quality setup man. But he stumbled in 2016 and, in particular, 2017. Over his last 76 2/3 MLB innings, Bastardo has been tagged for 16 home runs and 49 earned runs. He received only nine frames at the game’s highest level last year, struggling on both sides of a lengthy DL stint for a quad injury and ultimately being designated for assignment.23 Jan 2018 11:00:29 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/diamondbacks_to_sign_antonio_bastardo/s1_13237_25520912
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/diamondbacks_to_sign_antonio_bastardo/s1_13237_25520912Report: Diamondbacks to sign Antonio Bastardohttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/diamondbacks_to_sign_antonio_bastardo/s1_13237_25520912http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/d/ddc9b867443a2bf4dabef366f1cebcad6a759a98/top_story/10005439.jpgAntonio Bastardo In Camp, Ready To Help Mets Win A Championship
Antonio Bastardo is pumped to be part of the Mets bullpen and is already training at the team’s complex in Port St. Lucie. In an interview with Kevin Kernan of the New York Post, Bastardo said he wants to help the Mets anyway he can and he looks forward to bridging the gap from the starters to closer Jeurys Familia.
“I know the Mets needed help and that is why I signed here,’’ Bastardo told The Post. “The Mets have a great team, with great, great young arms. We just have to make sure we stay focused and hopefully this year or next year we can win the World Series.”
“I want to make it so Familia is fresh in the ninth inning. Four outs is a lot of work for the closer. You want him fresh for that winning situation in the ninth.’’
Bastardo, 30, signed a two year, $12 million deal in January and the lefty is expected to take over the setup role for the Mets this season – a role the team struggled to fill consistently in 2015.
“If our pitchers dominate from the first to the sixth or seventh 05 Feb 2016 07:02:49 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/antonio_bastardo_in_camp_ready_to_help_mets_win_a_championship/s1_3812_20292631
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/antonio_bastardo_in_camp_ready_to_help_mets_win_a_championship/s1_3812_20292631Antonio Bastardo In Camp, Ready To Help Mets Win A Championshiphttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/antonio_bastardo_in_camp_ready_to_help_mets_win_a_championship/s1_3812_20292631http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngDoes Antonio Bastardo make this bullpen strong enough?Highlights:
Mets sign lefty Antonio Bastardo to solidify the back end of the pen.
Spring Training will feature 12 pitchers competing for three roster spots.
Sandy Alderson and Terry Collins will largely determine this relief corps’ success.
Improving the bullpen was clearly a high priority in the Mets offseason plan. Recent acquisitions Addison Reed and Jerry Blevins were re-upped and Antonio Bastardo was just signed this week. They’ll join closer Jeurys Familia and three others who emerge from a crowded spring training competition of veteran long men and specialists. Does this make for a strong enough bullpen to lock down the late innings for a team in contention?
While it’s not on par with the Yankees, who, barring a trade, feature three overpowering closers to turn every game into a six-inning affair, it may be good enough if it’s handled the right way. Let’s break it down.
Do we have a strong closer? Yes. Aside from a rocky World Series, due partly to poor fielding behind him,22 Jan 2016 09:31:42 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/does_antonio_bastardo_make_this_bullpen_strong_enough/s1_8050_20224198
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/does_antonio_bastardo_make_this_bullpen_strong_enough/s1_8050_20224198Does Antonio Bastardo make this bullpen strong enough?http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/does_antonio_bastardo_make_this_bullpen_strong_enough/s1_8050_20224198http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngAP source: Mets and LHP Bastardo agree to $12M, 2-year deal NEW YORK (AP) A person familiar with the deal says free agent reliever Antonio Bastardo and the NL champion New York Mets have agreed to terms on a $12 million, two-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday night because the deal is pending a physical and no announcement had been made. Bastardo was 4-1 with a 2.98 ERA and one save in 66 games last season for Pittsburgh, helping the Pirates claim an NL wild card. The left-hander had 64 strikeouts and 26 walks in 57 1-3 innings. In 2013, Bastardo was suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball as part of the Biogenesis drug case. Coming off their first World Series appearance in 15 years, the Mets were looking to reinforce their bullpen after setup man Tyler Clippard became a free agent. Bastardo likely will team with right-hander Addison Reed to set up closer Jeurys Familia. The 30-year-old Bastardo pitched for division rival Philadelphia from 2009-14. He is 24-19 with a 3.58 ERA and 12 saves in seven major league seasons. He's20 Jan 2016 21:13:20 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/ap_source_mets_and_lhp_bastardo_agree_to_12m_2_year_deal/s1_13180_20217361
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/ap_source_mets_and_lhp_bastardo_agree_to_12m_2_year_deal/s1_13180_20217361AP source: Mets and LHP Bastardo agree to $12M, 2-year dealhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/ap_source_mets_and_lhp_bastardo_agree_to_12m_2_year_deal/s1_13180_20217361http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngMarket For LHP Antonio Bastardo “Heating Up”
According to Robert Murray of Baseball Essential, the market for top remaining relief pitcher Antonio Bastardo is “heating up,” and four teams are rumored to be interested, including the Blue Jays, Orioles, Dodgers and Mets.
The Cubs also met with Bastardo’s agents during the Winter Meetings, but it is unclear whether they are still considering the southpaw for their bullpen.
The Mets have been connected to Bastardo at different points during the offseason, but have made it known that they are unwilling to give him the three-year deal he is currently seeking.
Bastardo can very well be looking to get a deal in the same range as fellow reliever Tony Sipp, who returned to the Astros on a three-year, $18 million pact earlier in the winter.
Mike Puma of the New York Post also added earlier this month that the Mets are prepared to wait out the market for as long as it takes until they can sign a reliever on a one year deal – even if it means watching the remaining proven options come off the 20 Jan 2016 13:51:40 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/market_for_lhp_antonio_bastardo_heating_up/s1_3812_20215114
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/market_for_lhp_antonio_bastardo_heating_up/s1_3812_20215114Market For LHP Antonio Bastardo “Heating Up”http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/market_for_lhp_antonio_bastardo_heating_up/s1_3812_20215114http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngMMO Free Agent Profile: Antonio Bastardo, LHP
Antonio BastardoPosition: Relief PitcherBats: Right — Throws: LeftBorn: September 21st, 1985 (Age 30)
The Mets need a lefty in the bullpen, that much is certain. Sure they have other needs as well, but with top left-handed sluggers like Freddie Freeman and Bryce Harper in our division, being able to get dangerous hitters like them out is absolutely imperative.
The two highest profile left-handed relievers on the free agent market are Tony Sipp and Antonio Bastardo. Sipp is a very good pitcher, however he has opposite splits and he is more effective against right handed batters. Bastardo, on the other hand, is absolutely a lefty specialist and someone the Mets should be interested in acquiring.
Bastardo had a great year for the Pirates, going 4-1 with a 2.98 ERA, 1.134 WHIP and a 10.0 K/9 rate. He appeared in 66 games and pitched 57.1 innings, striking out 64 and walking 26. He did an incredible job as the Bucs’ setup man this season for closer Mark Melancon.
The Pirates used Tony Watson 23 Nov 2015 13:08:50 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mmo_free_agent_profile_antonio_bastardo_lhp/s1_3812_19937626
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mmo_free_agent_profile_antonio_bastardo_lhp/s1_3812_19937626MMO Free Agent Profile: Antonio Bastardo, LHPhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/mmo_free_agent_profile_antonio_bastardo_lhp/s1_3812_19937626http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngSox And Phillies Talk Antonio Bastardo Trade(Getty Images)With the likely departure of Craig Breslow, the Red Sox are in need of a left-handed bullpen arm. Based on multiple reports, they may be targeting Antonio Bastardo as that arm—as trade talks are taking place with the Phillies. Reportedly, Boston would send back infield prospect Sean Coyle (and possibly other bodies). The 29-year old Bastardo has a 3.72 ERA over six seasons—and struck out 81 batters in 64 innings last year. It should be noted that Bastardo was one of twelve players to get a 50-game suspension in 2013 for violation of MLB's Joint Drug Prevention Program.09 Dec 2014 14:59:00 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/sox_and_phillies_talk_antonio_bastardo_trade/s1_11873_17875718
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/sox_and_phillies_talk_antonio_bastardo_trade/s1_11873_17875718Sox And Phillies Talk Antonio Bastardo Tradehttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/sox_and_phillies_talk_antonio_bastardo_trade/s1_11873_17875718http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngYankees In On Bastardo and ByrdAccording to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the Yankees have interest in both left-handed reliever Antonio Bastardo and right fielder Marlon Byrd. Bastardo, 28, has struggled at seemingly just the wrong time for the Phillies, seeing his ERA jump by nearly a point and a half since June 28 with opponents getting on base at a .390 clip since that date. Bastardo appeared to be headed toward another solid season but has certainly sputtered while on his way to the highest innings’ pitched total of his career. Byrd, meanwhile, is one of just two National League outfielders with 20 or more homers and would immediately improve a Yankees’ right fielding corps that ranks 29th in fWAR with an AL-worst .281 OBP.30 Jul 2014 17:13:54 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/yankees_in_on_bastardo_and_byrd/s1_3762_16942837
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/yankees_in_on_bastardo_and_byrd/s1_3762_16942837Yankees In On Bastardo and Byrdhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/yankees_in_on_bastardo_and_byrd/s1_3762_16942837http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngPirates Interested In Antonio Bastardo, Reunion With Marlon ByrdThe Pittsburgh Pirates have shown interest in at least one of their former players, thus far, starting pitcher A.J. Burnett. The Pirates players lobbied for Burnett's return. But, with Burnett's 2015 option year looming, the Pirates have cooled on the idea of Burnett, according to many reports. Though they have...29 Jul 2014 11:30:46 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/pirates_interested_in_antonio_bastardo_reunion_with_marlon_byrd/s1_10360_16932955
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/pirates_interested_in_antonio_bastardo_reunion_with_marlon_byrd/s1_10360_16932955Pirates Interested In Antonio Bastardo, Reunion With Marlon Byrdhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/pirates_interested_in_antonio_bastardo_reunion_with_marlon_byrd/s1_10360_16932955http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngAntonio Bastardo Garnering Trade InterestJim Salisbury of CSN.Com is reporting that Phillies left hander Antonio Bastardo is drawing the most trade interest at this current time. Teams that are linked to Bastardo are the Royals, Tigers, Pirates, and Blue Jays. The Reds had some interest earlier this month as well. Bastardo is signed for $2 million dollars this year, and is under team control next season. The lefty specialist is also one of the few Phillies who does not have a ridiculous vesting option in his contract. All of these things make Antonio Bastardo a very attractive piece for teams needing relief help.
Bastardo is having a solid season compiling a 3.27 ERA with a 10.8 K/9 rate. Bastardo is not only having success against lefty hitters, but righty’s as well. righty’s are hitting just .175 off the 28-year old while lefty’s are hitting just .140. The Royals, Tigers, Pirates and Blue Jays all have scouts in Philly scouting the series with the Giants. Because of his team friendly contract, age, and success this season, Antonio 23 Jul 2014 13:45:27 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/antonio_bastardo_garnering_trade_interest/s1_3762_16896574
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/antonio_bastardo_garnering_trade_interest/s1_3762_16896574Antonio Bastardo Garnering Trade Interesthttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/antonio_bastardo_garnering_trade_interest/s1_3762_16896574http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngReport: Bastardo Hottest Phils Name in RumorsAccording to CSN Philly’s Jim Salisbury, lefty set-up man Antonio Bastardo is the name he hears the most popping up in trade rumors.
A scoreless eighth for Antonio Bastardo. He’s the Phillie that I’ve heard most trade buzz about. Friendly contract
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyCSN) July 10, 2014
Bastardo, 28, makes $2 million this year and has one more year of team control available. Bastardo is on pace to hit a career-high in innings pitched and appearances while improving his strikeout rate by about one K per inning pitched and lowering his WHIP back under his career average.11 Jul 2014 12:00:39 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/report_bastardo_hottest_phils_name_in_rumors/s1_3762_16824616
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/report_bastardo_hottest_phils_name_in_rumors/s1_3762_16824616Report: Bastardo Hottest Phils Name in Rumorshttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/report_bastardo_hottest_phils_name_in_rumors/s1_3762_16824616http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png